From 1976-1980, Goldsmith was an assistant professor and then Associate Dean at Loyola Marymount University's College of Business.[5] He currently teaches executive education at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business.[6] In 1977, he entered the field of management education after meeting Paul Hersey, and Goldsmith later co-founded the management education firm Keilty, Goldsmith and Company.[7] He also later became a founding partner of the Marshall Goldsmith Group.[8] As a coach he has worked with CEOs for about 150 companies.[9]

According to ES Wibbeke and Sarah McArthur, Goldsmith was a pioneer in the use of 360-degree feedback.[10] In 1996, Goldsmith co-edited his first book, The Leader of the Future. His books have been translated into 28 languages,[11] and have been number one on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal best sellers list.[12] In 2012, Goldsmith was awarded The John E. Anderson Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest accolade for exceptional achievement that the UCLA Anderson School of Management may bestow upon alumni.[13]